Category Archives: Uncategorized

Spiking the Ball

Faithful readers – pardon me while I give my personal commentary about a local issue…

When the local Great Falls (Montana) school levy was defeated, I wrote a commentary about it and figured that would be about all I’d have to say about it. I had written a column before that expressing my support for the levy request, which would cost me a little more than $15.71 per year.

The levy was defeated and life goes on…

But then I happened to read an advertisement in the local newspaper from a group called Citizens Against Higher Taxes (CAHT). In my opinion they kind of had the “spike the ball” attitude toward those who supported the levy. So I must offer my commentary about this advertisement:

It seems the group purchased some advertisements called “An Open letter to the GFPS Administration, Board of Trustees and Teachers Union” in which they claim the school district “is implementing a new bullying program and is now acting like the bully.” They contend “Anyone who opposes their viewpoint is a target of retaliation.” They also say they “expect a new attitude from the Board of Trustees and top administrators…” Continue reading →

Montana Land Sovereignty Act

Yesterday Congressman Denny Rehberg introduced the Montana Land Sovereignty Act in the U.S. House. The bill “requires congressional approval before the White House or the Department of Interior (DOI) can designate any new National Monuments or “Wild Lands” in Montana.”

I think that’s a good thing. Continue reading →

Breaking: Chairman Rehberg Offers Amendment to De-Fund Obamacare

The Western Word (TWW) received the following press release from the Congressman Rehberg’s office this morning. TWW always welcomes press releases from its readers. They may or may not be posted or commented about. Press releases may be sent to the e-mail address listed at the top right side of this website.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Denny Rehberg, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies today introduced an amendment to the Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011 to defund Obamacare. Continue reading →

That was embarrassing…

Back on February 4, I briefly mentioned the so-called “Birther” bill that was introduced in the Montana Legislature by State Representative Bob Wagner (R-Harrison).

At that time, I wrote “Barack Obama is the President of the United States. He was born in Hawaii. Hawaii is a state. It was verified several times. It’s time to get over it.”

By the way, I did not vote for Barack Obama.

I’ve also mentioned several times about the three-ring circus that goes on in Helena every two years for 90 days. This session, it seems the clowns are out in force.

Last night I happened to catch a Tweet from CNN’s Anderson Cooper saying that he was interviewing Montana State Representative Wagner about his bill, so I decided to watch the interview on CNN forgoing a few minutes of one of my favorite television shows, Southland. It was a sacrifice.

Here’s the video: Continue reading →

Montana Senate 2012: A Rocky Start?

It’s been a little over a week since Congressman Denny Rehberg announced that he was challenging first-term U.S. Senator Jon Tester in 2012.

By many accounts, it has been a rocky first week for Rehberg. It was impressive that Rehberg had signs and/or bumper stickers ready to go and his Senate Campaign website was launched the same evening as his announcement as was his Twitter feed @Rehberg2012. He is also on Facebook.

It seems from this casual observer’s view that it was all planned out perfectly, except for maybe the speeches and talking points. Continue reading →

Breaking News: It’s Official – Rehberg versus Tester

Congressman Denny Rehberg today announced that he will challenge first term Senator Jon Tester for Montana’s junior U.S. Senate seat in 2012.

The Billings Gazette has the story HERE.

I collect campaign signs and buttons; so I had to post a photo of this 1996 Senate campaign sign:

It should be an interesting race!

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”

Brad Molnar may be singing that Rolling Stones song today about the latest happenings from the Montana Public Service Commission (PSC).

For those of you who don’t know what a PSC does (and actually care about it) here is what their website tells us: “…ensure that public utilities in Montana provide adequate service to customers at reasonable rates. In its decisions, the commission tries to balance the interests of ratepayers who are concerned about utility costs with the utilities’ need to have the opportunity to earn a fair rate of return on their investment.”

There are five commissioners elected from five districts across the state. They serve four year terms. The Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected by the Commissioners.

That’s “pretty cool.”

Coming into 2011, the PSC was bubbling over with anticipation as the GOP took control of the commission. The GOP controls the commission 3-2 over the Democrats. Previously, the Democrats controlled the PSC 4-1.

In what could be defined as having visions of sugar- plums dancing through his head, PSC District 2 Commissioner Brad Molnar (the only Republican when the PSC was 4-1 in Democratic control) seemed to have felt since he was the “senior” Republican that he would be anointed to the throne of Chairman. Continue reading →